Scarifier

ABSTRACT

A scarifier is provided with a floating axle  16  which allows the head  22  of the unit to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floating axle  16  will allow the two large outboard wheels  46  to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the smaller guide wheels  50 . The floating axle  16  can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven conditions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/299,526, filed Jan. 29, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Hand-operated/walk-behind scarifiers are well known for removal of markings and the like from pavement and similar surfaces. Horizontal rotating cutters with up to 13 HP of grinding/cutting torque produce an extremely fatiguing operator experience. Large amounts of vibration transferred from the machine to the operator. The small wheels limit mobility of these machines.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is used for heavy-duty removal of coatings, grooving, grinding and smoothing. It cleans and prepares surfaces such as concrete and asphalt prior to coating and re-coating. The primary purpose of this design is to remove the fatigue that is typically associated with this type of equipment.

The instant invention allows the ability to be coupled to a propulsion unit such as that sold by Graco Inc. under the LineDriver trademark. This allows self propelled operation in forward and reverse and variable speeds. A depth limiter allows the grinding head to cut only as deep as required. Depth is adjusted via a hand wheel and acme nut and screw.

An articulating cart allows full operation without letting go of handlebars making for easy handling. It also allows feathering and/or maintaining an even cut depth especially over uneven pavement. The point of articulation and length of lever arm produce little or no resistance when applying cutters to pavement surface. It is important to note this point of articulation can be positioned further inward or outward producing a more or less mechanical advantage from the handlebar position.

The instant invention is provided with a floating head which allows the cutter heads to be engaged into cutting surface while the operator has both hands on the handle bars for safety. This also allows the operator to float the cutter over the surface to contour and blend. The mechanism consists of a latching arm with a locking C cutout which engages with a rod of similar diameter, gravity keeps the arm locked and is released by operator pressure on the handle bars and pulling a release lever with his or her fingertips. This depth control sets the maximum depth but does not limit cutters from rising over obstacles—important on uneven surfaces where cutting to deep or burning up cutters is a big problem.

The handle bars and control panel (E-stop, tether kill and throttle) can be adjusted to the operator's desired height requirement. The engine is coupled to the cutter via a centrifugal clutch allowing for easier starting due to reduce inertial loads. A suction port is provided to hook up a vacuum system.

The cutting/milling head rotates into the work increasing removing ability. The handlebars can easily move to the front for handwork without LineDriver unit.

A swivel front wheel provides similar advantages to those seen with the Graco LineLazer: easy transport and maneuverability and locks for straight tracking.

For additional weight and vibration dampening the wheels can be filled with urethane which also alleviates the need for air inflation. Both rear wheels are filled with approximately 7 lbs. and the front wheel with approximately 1.5 lbs. For example operation of competitive equipment almost immediately creates the tingling sensation common with over-exposure to hand/arm vibration.

A floating axle allows the head of the instant invention to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floating axle will allow the two large outboard wheels to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the smaller guide wheels. The floating axle can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven conditions.

Operation of this type, especially over 10 HP, requires proper equipment to handle the loads. The human body cannot handle this abuse for more than very short intervals. The use of the LineDriver propulsion unit overcomes this issue. The unit is equipped with a safety interlock switch. The interlock safety switch will not allow the unit to start without the LineDriver unit being connected.

The instant invention is a safe user friendly solution for heavy-duty removal of coatings, grooving, grinding and smoothing by providing: (1) significant reduction hand/arm vibration; (2) significant reduction operator handling fatigue; and (3) significant increase controlling cutters via handlebars.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the scarifier of the instant invention coupled to a propulsion unit.

FIG. 2 shows the operator controls of the instant invention.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the instant invention.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the handlebar control.

FIG. 5 shows detail of the coupler between the propulsion unit and the scarifier.

FIG. 6 shows another position of the FIG. 5 view.

FIG. 7 shows more detail of the controls.

FIG. 8 shows a different view of the controls.

FIG. 9 shows the clutch assembly.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the carriage assembly.

FIG. 11 shows the front wheel assembly.

FIG. 12 is another rear view of the carriage assembly.

FIG. 13 shows the hitch assembly.

FIG. 14 shows the hitch assembly with a propulsion unit attached.

FIG. 15 shows a right hand view of the unit in operational position.

FIG. 16 shows a left hand view of the unit in operational position.

FIG. 17 shows a front view of the unit.

FIG. 18 shows a top view of the unit.

FIG. 19 shows the unit articulating as the operator applies downward pressure on the handlebars.

FIG. 20 shows the unit articulating as the operator applies upward pressure on the handlebars.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The scarifier of the instant invention is generally designated 10. An articulating cart 12 allows full operation without letting go of handlebars 14 making for easy handling. It also allows feathering and/or maintaining an even cut depth especially over uneven pavement. The point or axis of articulation 16 and length of lever arm produce little or no resistance when applying cutters 18 to the pavement surface 20. It is important to note this point of articulation 16 can be positioned further inward or outward producing a more or less mechanical advantage from the handlebar 14 position.

The instant invention is provided with a floating head 22 which allows the cutter heads 18 (of known design) to be engaged into cutting surface 20 while the operator has both hands on the handle bars 14 for safety. This also allows the operator to float the cutter 22 over the surface 20 to contour and blend. The mechanism consists of a latching arm 24 with a locking C cutout 26 which engages with a rod 28 of similar diameter, gravity keeps the arm 24 locked and is released by operator pressure on the handle bars 14 and pulling a release lever 30 with his or her fingertips. This depth control 32 sets the maximum depth but does not limit cutters 18 from rising over obstacles—important on uneven surfaces where cutting too deep or burning up cutters 18 is a big problem.

The handle bars 14 and control panel 34 (E-stop, tether kill and throttle) can be adjusted to the operator's desired height requirement. The engine 36 is coupled to the cutter 22 via a centrifugal clutch 38 and belt 39 allowing for easier starting due to reduced inertial loads. A suction port 40 is provided to hook up a vacuum system.

The cutting/milling head 22 rotates into the work increasing removing ability. The handlebars 14 can easily move to the front for handwork without propulsion unit 42.

A swivel front wheel 44 provides similar advantages to those seen with the Graco's line stripers: easy transport and maneuverability and locks for straight tracking.

For additional weight and vibration dampening the wheels 44 and 46 can be filled with urethane 48 which also alleviates the need for air inflation. Both rear wheels 46 are filled with approximately 7 lbs. and the front wheel 44 with approximately 1.5 lbs. Operation of prior art equipment almost immediately creates the tingling sensation common with over-exposure to hand/arm vibration.

A floating axle 16 allows the head 22 of the instant invention to follow the contour of the to-be-ground surface. The floating axle 16 will allow the two large outboard/main wheels 46 to guide the unit, but still maintain pressure on the smaller guide wheels 50. The floating axle 16 can also be locked to compensate for extremely uneven conditions.

Operation of this type, especially over 10 HP, requires proper equipment to handle the loads. The human body cannot handle this abuse for more than very short intervals. The use of the propulsion unit 42 overcomes this issue. The unit is equipped with a safety interlock switch. The interlock safety switch will not allow the unit to start without the propulsion unit being connected via hitch 52.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the scarifier without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A scarifier for grinding an removal material from a surface, said scarifier comprising: a cart, said cart comprising: at least one rear wheel rotatably attached to said frame and having an axis of rotation; at least one front wheel rotatably attached to said frame and having an axis of rotation; and a frame having front and rear portions; said portions being hinged to one another along an axis of articulation, said axis of articulation being generally parallel to at least one of said axes of rotation, said at least one rear wheel being attached to said rear portion and said at least one front wheel being attached to said front portion; a cutter assembly adjustably attached to said cart front portion; and handlebars attached to said cart rear portion.
 2. The scarifier of claim 1 wherein said scarifier may be moved between an operating position wherein said cutter assembly engages said surface and a transport position wherein said cutter assembly is spaced from said surface by pivoting along said axis of articulation.
 3. The scarifier of claim 2 further comprising means for locking said frame into said transport position.
 4. The scarifier of claim 1 further comprising means to adjust the position of said cutter assembly relative to said surface.
 5. The scarifier of claim 1 further comprising means to connect to a propulsion unit.
 6. The scarifier of claim 1 further comprising at least one guide wheel rotatably attached to said cutter assembly.
 7. The scarifier of claim 1 wherein said wheels are filled with urethane. 